final tally

[jp_over]

Just finished my final cable order - now, when I get home in 16 days, 13 hours, and 23 minutes (not that I'm counting or anything - http://countdown.onlineclock.net/), all will be ready to assemble when the baby is napping. Note, all prices include shipping (since I live in AK, we get beat up pretty bad on shipping when it's not through the regular Post Office)

Here's the system/price breakdown minus a ~$150 blue-ray player that I forgot to include and I think we've never even used to play a blue-ray.



I'll post pictures when set up is complete. For now, I'll post a picture of what I currently have...

 

[its phillip]

Very nice selection. Questions: Will the SongCenter fit in that cabinet? and are you going to use the b2030ps as surrounds, or are you going to be sticking with a 3.1 system?

That's still a lot of money on cables though :x

 

[jp_over]

Very nice selection. Questions: Will the SongCenter fit in that cabinet? and are you going to use the b2030ps as surrounds, or are you going to be sticking with a 3.1 system?

That's still a lot of money on cables though :x

Thanks! The SongCenter will fit closely (rear ported dimensions are - 18" W x 8" H x 12" D). My entertainment center opening dimensions are 21” inside & 19” 7/8 outside edge to outside edge.

My 2030s will be sent off to bedroom system 2.0 duty (currently, we only have a TV in the bedroom) so the front room will be 3.1 for quite some time. I don't want surround for now but do want clear dialogue for the news and other programs/movies.

Those darn cables. Shipping was close to $55 for all of them. Everybody wants to ship FEDEX and UPS to Alaska and many times you can't get another option. The most expensive part of my cables are the Dayton finished/terminated speaker cables. Since these are showing, I'll shamefully admit I bought them for looks alone (and was advised by the wife that this was a requirement).

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=181-600

 

[its phillip]

Yeah, shipping to alaska is expensive. Those cables do look nice, and since you are saying you bought them for looks and not some imaginary performance difference then it's all good

I'm about to upgrade my movie/console setup to 3.1 as well - no room for surrounds unless I do some major rearranging.

 

[Nomo]

That stand is beautiful.
Is it DYI or purchased?

 

[jp_over]

That stand is beautiful.
Is it DYI or purchased?

Thanks!

Man, I wish I could build anything that well. We had it custom made through our local Amish furniture store (Treeforms in Anchorage, AK). All our living room furniture is the same style & finish (oak, "Santa Fe" stain).

 

[GO-NAD!]

That stand is beautiful.
Is it DYI or purchased?

DYI = Do Yourself In?

JP, looks like it'll be a very nice system.

 

[KEW]

Very nice system indeed!

I'm a little curious about putting a rear ported center in the cabinet, though. Did you check into that? I'd worry you may have some issues although with a sub crossed well above port frequency it may not matter or you might even stuff a sock in the port (along with using the sub).
I really don't know, but if you haven't asked the question yet, sooner is better than later!

 

[jp_over]

Very nice system indeed!

I'm a little curious about putting a rear ported center in the cabinet, though. Did you check into that? I'd worry you may have some issues although with a sub crossed well above port frequency it may not matter or you might even stuff a sock in the port (along with using the sub).
I really don't know, but if you haven't asked the question yet, sooner is better than later!

I didn't check into it too much because the front ported version would not fit (it's too wide). I plan on crossing over at 80hz so I don't think it will be an issue but I'll definitely keep an "ear" on it!

On plugging the port, what's this do? Does it make the speaker perform more like a sealed?

 

[KEW]

Yes, I believe it does cause it to act much more like a sealed unit. I think this would really mess up the SQ if you were planning to rely on the center for bass.
Assuming the port tuning is well below the crossover to the sub, I don't think you lose anything.

I really don't know if things would get boomy in the cabinet or what.
Your plan to just work with it will probably get you there, but you might get there faster with some advice.
Perhaps you should set the crossover higher than normal? I doubt the center's port is tuned as low as the mains.

Hopefully someone with a better understanding will chime in with advice.

You also might want to ask Jim Salk about it. He may have some good suggestions.

 

[jp_over]

a few changes

Well, after getting home, I made some changes... here's the "final for now" system (pardon the reflections - had the wife take these for me since I'm now back in Afghanistan):







Subjective, non-technical observations (I'll label these "observations" since my expertise is not quite to the level to call this a “review.”). Another caveat, I only had 2 weeks to set up and spend time with the system. Really, only a few days with the Marantz AV-7005 as I installed it shortly before I left.

Went from Yamaha RX-V667 to RX-A2000 to Marantz AV-7005. Why?
I did not feel the Yamaha pre-outs were adequate to push the Yamaha P2500S (pro amps). Noticed a significant difference in output from the Marantz as a preamp for the P2500S amps (using unbalanced XLR to RCA cables by Hosa). I did not notice any buzzing or noise issues from the AV-7005.

Dr. Mark (TLS Guy) recommends staying away from balanced cables for short runs but, for the minimal cost, I may try these and see if I get any noise. If no extra noise, I can obtain more pre-out voltage (2.4 V balanced vs 1.2 V unbalanced).

Of note, comparing the RX-V667 with the RX-V667 + Yamaha P2500S amps I noticed a great deal more bass and the sound was much more “full and dynamic.” Some might say “duh” but this was an interesting comparison for me. It showed me the big difference an amp can make. Also, these (Salk SongTowers & Center) were run full range (did not use the AVR crossover). I did not test the RX-A2000 without the amps.

I choose the 2 x P2500S pro amps over 3 x Outlaw audio M2200 mono amps because I heard a slight (not significant) buzz when using the M2200 amps with the Yamaha RX-V667. The Yamaha amps are nearly silent. Did not do a listening comparison after I noticed the buzz.

Sound:
I don’t have anything for comparison besides the TV speakers and headphones. In short, the ST are very impressive but perhaps a little more laid back than I hear in some of my headphones. I’ll do more headphone comparisons when I get home since I have no other nice systems with which to compare. Our high end stores in Alaska are rather limited.


Aesthetics:
My wife, who has very little interest in all things audio made several observations:
1) The SongTowers “really looked good.”
2) After going through the RX-V667 and RX-A2000 (both of which I think look pretty cool, especially the RX-A2000). When she saw the AV-7005 she commented “Wow, that receiver looks nice!.” Unbelievable.

Rhythmic F12:
Adequate for our room and uses. I’d like to try out some software (at some point) to see what type of frequency response I’m getting. I can tell at some frequencies the bass is louder than others but I’m pretty sure this is placement related (did not crawl for bass or really do any moving of the sub as time was limited).

Problems:
Cable management! The Amish can make great looking furniture but I should have allowed more room (and holes) for running/hiding cables and wires. For our retirement system, I’ll use a closet and a Middle Atlantic rack.

Had a devil of a time getting the front handles off the P2500S pro amps and then getting them back together. Removal is not recommended if you have the room to leave them on! After I did one, I figured it would be just as much trouble to put the handles back on as to remove the handles from the 2nd so I removed the front handles from both amps.

Overall:
Best sounding system I have ever owned. I’ll do some tweaking when I get home. For now, am running the Audyssey recommended large settings for LCR. Possible changes - going to an AVR only for the living room & moving the AV-7005 + P2500S amps to my music-only setup to cut down on the cables.

Next project: 2.0, 2.1 or 2.2 music only system with perhaps a small monitor for PC integration. JTR, B&W, PMC, Yorkville Unity, and Gedlee are on the short list.

Thanks Audioholics for all your time and input!

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey that's a nice system. I agree that both Salk speakers and particularly Marantz receivers look very nice.

I nearly forgot to address it, but Audyssey doesn't make the final BM choices believe it or not, it's the receiver itself (and Audyssey has tried lobbying with various mftrs for better or wiser implementation). My guess is that your Marantz is like many other units where it chooses full range if the F3 is below a certain threshold, perhaps 80hz for example. Play with your xover settings, and choose what you think sounds best.

It is ok to move the xover point upwards, but not as ok to move it lower because Audyssey will not have correction filters for below what it found the F3 to be. I remember a case where Audyssey found some Bose cubes to have an F3 of 250hz, and the owner was wondering if he could lower the xover point, naturally. He was told that nothing would be corrected for under 250hz, hehe.

 

[its phillip]

Very nice system. It's unfortunate the cabinet doesn't have decent cable management because it is a great looking piece of work.

 

[jp_over]

JM - I was wondering about that; thanks! I definitely plan on doing some adjusting when I get home (68 days!).

Phillip - don't I know it. It's a big lesson learned but I'm not too bummed as this system has been a compromise from the start. I was limited to speakers with high WAF and the entertainment center is built such that the baby can't get to the TV or pull it over; it's rock solid. Our last one was a terrible design with lots of glass and a sagging shelf .

We're all thrilled with the sound (even the baby literally "ooos" and "ahhhs" to her baby CDs!) but I need to re-work the cables & wiring for a more finished look.

I might simpy drill some additional 1.5" - 2" holes in the back and move some cables to the outside... ah the joys of our never-ending hobby!